Kaitlyn’s 1st points in the W

[oldude]

During the Valkyries 87-63 win over the Sun on Sunday, Kaitlyn got her first points in a regular season WNBA game. She was 2/3 from the floor, including an “and 1” totaling 5 points. She played 21 minutes, had 1 assist & 1 rebound to go along with her 5 pts, while also leading all Valkyrie players with a +/- of +15.

We always knew she had it in her.

 

[Huskee11]

Starting point guard, National championship, drafted into the WNBA by a surprisingly competitive and well run organization, now playing and scoring - she's had a memorable 12 months! Very happy for her, and I hope that she can carve out a spot in the WNBA for many years to come.

Her coming to UConn was the perfect match.

 

[The deacon]

We always knew she had it in her.

Her coming to UConn was the perfect match.

I'm also really happy for Kaitlyn. I can't help but think back to the BY posts that denigrated her during the past season.

 

[oldude]

I'm also really happy for Kaitlyn. I can't help but think back to the BY posts that denigrated her during the past season.

Sometimes the BY can be brutal on new players while they find their footing. While we all tend to focus on “the Big 3” during UConn’s title run, Kaitlyn was an absolutely critical part of Championship #12.

 

[oldude]

UConn players have always been valued by WNBA coaches and GM’s because they are considered, “Pro-ready.” There is a lot that goes into that simple assessment.

When you think back to UConn’s impressive run to a 12th national championship this year, it wasn’t so much that the Huskies had vastly superior talent than their opponents. It had more to do with the fact that UConn just played much better basketball than everyone else.

WBB coaches have been trying to pick the lock on UConn’s success for years. It shouldn’t be a great mystery. UConn recruits smart, team oriented players, and they keep them. The coaches and staff work intensely to develop those players to the fullest extent possible individually and as a team. There are no short cuts.

Kaitlyn was a pretty good basketball player when she arrived in Storrs for her 5th year. By the time she left, Kaitlyn was just one more “pro-ready” player turned out by UConn WBB.

 

[WiseWillie]

It is not without some luck (and of course her own hard work) that Kaitlyn has found her way to the Valkyries. All of what the Valkyries have seems to be a good fit for Kaitlyn and will definitely benefit her as she continues her journey as a pro. Wishing her much success.

Without drifting too far off topic, however, I will be interested on the general assessment by the Boneyard on how the Valkyries as an upstart have been as successful as they have compared to some other unnamed teams (but we all know who) that are struggling and seem unable to improve. What are the Valyries success differentiators? Excellent management? Expert coaching? Talented, unselfish players? All of the above?

 

[Aluminny69]

 

[BBallF]

Sometimes the BY can be brutal on new players while they find their footing. While we all tend to focus on “the Big 3” during UConn’s title run, Kaitlyn was an absolutely critical part of Championship #12.

Yes she was with some very, very, big baskets and assists along the way. It just seemed like the light when on with her when her 3s started to drop and we then became a different team with 4 very proficient outside shooters starting. Let's face it, that was one of the most enjoyable teams to watch we ever had. We kept on saying, "go see them in person" for a reason and KC was a big part of that. BTW we are going to be repeating that same mantra over and over again this year.

 

[oldude]

Yes she was with some very, very, big baskets and assists along the way. It just seemed like the light when on with her when her 3s started to drop and we then became a different team with 4 very proficient outside shooters starting. Let's face it, that was one of the most enjoyable teams to watch we ever had. We kept on saying, "go see them in person" for a reason and KC was a big part of that. BTW we are going to be repeating that same mantra over and over again this year.

I had the opportunity to watch the BE tournament at the Mohegan Sun in March from really good seats. While it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that UConn would win, the ability to watch absolute basketball excellence up close and personal for 3 straight days was a joy.

The player movement on offense and defense, the offensive execution and the connected defense was as good as I have ever seen from any UConn team. A lot of so-called pundits chalked it up to a weak BE conference. Many of them were stunned when the Huskies rolled over the best teams in the country during the Big Dance.

I understand that crow is a little chewy…

 

[Forego]

I had the opportunity to watch the BE tournament at the Mohegan Sun in March from really good seats. While it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that UConn would win, the ability to watch absolute basketball excellence up close and personal for 3 straight days was a joy.

The player movement on offense and defense, the offensive execution and the connected defense was as good as I have ever seen from any UConn team. A lot of so-called pundits chalked it up to a weak BE conference. Many of them were stunned when the Huskies rolled over the best teams in the country during the Big Dance.

I understand that crow is a little chewy…

So is Gamecock.

 

[BBallF]

I had the opportunity to watch the BE tournament at the Mohegan Sun in March from really good seats. While it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that UConn would win, the ability to watch absolute basketball excellence up close and personal for 3 straight days was a joy.

The player movement on offense and defense, the offensive execution and the connected defense was as good as I have ever seen from any UConn team. A lot of so-called pundits chalked it up to a weak BE conference. Many of them were stunned when the Huskies rolled over the best teams in the country during the Big Dance.

I understand that crow is a little chewy…

Yes, that's the way to do it. I go every year to watch them play Seton Hall at Walsh, which is an old style close to the court gym and sometimes to Finneran at Nova, also providing good game looks. I think the BE tourney is even better though. Forget about the pundits. The BE regular season and tourney play didn't seem to hurt us very much this year in the Big Dance. I think we all remembered this year how good Geno is with an almost completely full, very healthy team and some depth.

The defense was extraordinary this year. The switching was lightning fast, anticipatory, and seamless. The best evidence is probably that the #1 ranked team in the NCAA, with the country's best post player, scored a measly 22 points in the first half. Jana looked pretty darn good in that game I might add.

While we lose Paige, KC and Aubrey ( very sad her career was injury plagued} on defense, with Paige being the most underrated defensive player in the country, I expect the defense to be tremendous again this year with a lot of depth in the front court and a lot of size and shot blocking/altering ability. That was a good call by you about Jana all season long. Man, she really answered the bell when needed.

This #12 team will be an all-time favorite for many. The speed and precision were just astounding. We just left no doubt, none at all and it was a true statement piece.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It is not without some luck (and of course her own hard work) that Kaitlyn has found her way to the Valkyries. All of what the Valkyries have seems to be a good fit for Kaitlyn and will definitely benefit her as she continues her journey as a pro. Wishing her much success.

Without drifting too far off topic, however, I will be interested on the general assessment by the Boneyard on how the Valkyries as an upstart have been as successful as they have compared to some other unnamed teams (but we all know who) that are struggling and seem unable to improve. What are the Valyries success differentiators? Excellent management? Expert coaching? Talented, unselfish players? All of the above?

Ownership and management seem to know what they are doing. As a brand new franchise, they are the most valuable in the W ($500,000,000), ahead of the defending champions based in New York. They also appear to have a highly competent coach, who excelled with Las Vegas. On the court, they appear to have great chemistry and play very hard. They look nothing like an assembly of unfamiliar players.

 

[BobbyJ]

Ownership and management seem to know what they are doing. As a brand new franchise, they are the most valuable in the W ($500,000,000), ahead of the defending champions based in New York. They also appear to have a highly competent coach, who excelled with Las Vegas. On the court, they appear to have great chemistry and play very hard. They look nothing like an assembly of unfamiliar players.

Imagine what they'd look like with Bueckers cooking for them?

 

[From France]

and after EuroBasket they'll be even better

 

[veivoli]

And it would have to be a fellow UConn alumna who fouled her. No respect there!